Snubbed railway truck



April l2, 1949. G. F. coucH SNUBBED RAILWAY kTRUCK 2 'Sheets-Sheet lFiled March 9, 1944 M. aM

April 12, 1949. G. F. coucH 2,467,255

SNUBBED RAILWAY TRUCK Filed March 9., 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedApr. 12, 1949 SNUBBED RAILWAY TRUCK Glenn F. Couch, Rochester, N. Y.,assigner to Symington-Gould Corporation, Depew, N. Y., a corporation ofMaryland Application March 9, 1944, Serial No. 525,721

21 Claims.

The invention pertains to improvements in a railway truck and moreparticularly in a type thereof wherein frictional forces control, in asnubbing manner, the action of resilient bolster supporting means.

An object of the invention is the provision of a removable member soassociated with a bolster and side frame of a railway truck, that it mayreadily be removed to facilitate a quick wheel change operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a railway truck, amovable member disposed outwardly of a side frame and urged towardcolumns of the side frame to effect a brushing or wiping action againstthe columns to thereby snub or control the action of bolster supportingsprings.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a quick wheel changerailway truck, a movable `member spanning columns of a side frameoutwardly thereof with resilient means connected to the movable memberand so arranged that the resilient means may be further precompressed torelieve the movable member of the forces built up in the resilient meansand facilitate the entire removal of the movable member from the truckassembly.

An added object of the invention is to provide a railway truck havingboth quick wheel change and snubbing features and which is of simple anddurable construction, eil'icient operation, positive action andrelatively few parts for the work accomplished.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thesucceeding description considered together with the accompanyingdrawings, the latter of which disclose an exemplified form of theinvention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational and partial vertical sectionalview of a railway truck illustrative of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial plan and partial irregular horizontal sectionalview of the railway truck of of Figure 1 and is taken substantiallyalong the lines 2-2 of Figure l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the railway truck illustrating thepresent invention and is to be considered as taken along the lines 3-3of Figure 1 looking in the directionof the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken through a bolster removed from a sideframe and showing some of its component parts in an abnormal position. i

Referring now in detail to the drawings,

wherein like reference characters designate like parts, the numeral I isemployed to indicate, in a somewhat general manner, a railway truck of aform exemplary of the present invention and which. comprises a pair oftransversely spaced side frames 2, only a portion of one of which isshown. The side frame is more or less of a design recognized at thepresent writing as standard in that it includes a top or uppercompression member 3 spaced vertically from a lower or bottom tensionmember 4 both of which are joined intermediate their ends bytransversely spaced guide columns 5 which dene a window or opening 6therebetween. Each guide column preferably has a transverse web 1terminating in or merging into transversely spaced inner and outerflanges 8 and 9, respectively, extending toward the associated end ofthe side frame away from the window or opening. Each column flange has awear plate I0 welded or otherwise secured thereto to present inner andouter wear surfaces II and I2, respectively, which face away from thecolumns transversely of the truck. Occupying or positioned in the lowerarea of the side frame opening is a set or nest of springs or resilientmeans I3 seated upon a widened accommodating portion l4 of the tensionmember and desirably formed by symmetrically arranged all coil orhelical springs I5.

A bolster I6 extending transversely of the truck intermediate the endsof the side frame, forms a load carrying member and has an extremity I Ithereof occupying a portion of the upper limits of each bolster opening.The bolster desirably comprises a top wall I8 spaced vertically from alower wall I9 and both of which extend for substantially the entirelength of the bolster and are joined, integrally at or adjacent theirtransverse limits, by vertical side walls 20. The side walls lie in theclose proximity to the column webs but are spaced therefrom a suflicentdistance to permit a relatively free, vertical or service movement ofthe bolster. The bottom wall bears directly upon the nest of all coilsprings, the latter of which form a resilient or yieldable support forthe bolster to effect a relatively free easy riding truck. Positioninglugs 2| are formed integrally with the bolster bottom wall to lie in theproximity of the springs of the nest to retain them in a predeterminedoperable position.

Due to certain well recognized operating conditions to which a railwaytruck is subjected in service, the bolster supporting springs, if nototherwise arrested, will have set up therein synchronous vibrations, thelatter of which will be detrimental and destructive to the truckstructure and to the successful operation thereof. Means has beenincorporated in the truck structure of the present invention toward thecreation of frictional forces to thereby set up a snubbing action todamp out periodic, amplifying oscillations of the bolstersupporting'springs. Towards the accomplish'ment'lof thisp'i`1rpose,'therefore, there has been provided, outwardly from thebolster side walls and inwardly of the side frame adjacent each column,a lug 22 which overlies the associated column and carries, "throughthemedium of welds or any other n desired means, a

wear plate 23. Each wear yplatel''asy an-outward v/vh'iclr extendsbetween .is formed integrally jacent to"anwouter` cornerthereof. Each-p'ost has an upperport-ion 26 'foriedas'a web, vertically disposedwhich, intermediate the' top and bottoin bolster uwalls, merges into aflower portionz'l'directed downwardly andinv'vardli7 :of lthe bolstersideV frame ,ori ofthe* ltruckvstructure. Reinforeing ach'po'stagainstfstre'sses to which it will be 'subjected inv'srvicearea'pair ofgussets or kneerbraces @longitudinally'spaced and mergwith the`brolsterbottom wall` andthe free extremities'ofytlie'lownprtion 21. nEach postlower fport'io'n"has,` facingy inwardly oft the bolster ck structure,afdow-nwardly and, inwardly `pmgl or `extending -wedge face k'2li whichdefinesipartiaJlyf-oe sidel of 'cawd'o'w onoperiing BIT located withinthe 'coinesof the bolster end. "'Ifhe 3j] frter'ds longitudinally of thetruck,' p{er-peiidicu'larly'to4 the lside `frame column defined openingVor transversely'ofthe `bolster aridy projectsen'tie'ly throughthebolster end at 1a jpositi'on\` removed from 'bult' in the proximitytd, the rel ated: side aine Ic lurlns.

.7 Disposed within the 'bolster' window 3o is 'a shoe, or Ibridge 3I'spariing l rV overlapping tlie"side frame' columns 'andCmpriSinganinteiriediate' or central portionfor .Connecting bar 32 Afnr'rri'ect`r`iy`a vertically disposed'web 33 having y-upperalnd'low-er'.horizontal-'plates 34 and 35, respectively, frin/ed integrallytherewith to presentlanl'corguraltion'injcross section. At eachextremity of the'conri'ectig bar in the proximity 'or tigefppst,"thelyvet 331desiabiydirectedftut- -tvardly ofv the [truck toward thepost, as at 3B,Y to 'merge 'into a` sloping wearblocl`31 whichvisd'isposed' I'in` a i direction *lo'ng-itu'dinallyN of the truck.*Each* wear block carries'an outer sloping facce 38'ljextending'downwardlyanid inwardly ofthe (truck `to"corr'espndJwith and "bearagainst the sopg wedge `face 29 'of an'associatd post. By fre'a's'onof'the' Darticulardispsition of the sloping faces, the beam is arranged ttend to'move "a direction d'ownw-avrdlyand vinwardly of thetruckjstructure `for the reasons to be hereinafter arene.,

Forming the extremities of the beam or bridge are a pair of spacedflanges or abutments 39 reentering the truck from the free ends of thewear blocks toward the side frame columns. The bridge flanges have ribs40 in overlying, overlapping or tel'escoping relation to the post bottomportion to form an interlock between the bridgewandV bolster andtherebyfguard against an unwarranted "or accidental Separation of thebeam from the bolster. Each flange or abut- "ment presents an inwardlyfacing vertical sur- 'umnbuteVsurface I2 so that frictonal forces willat-a-llftimes b ej'created also on the rubbing *surfaces Y4I Aand I2during a vertical service movement of the bolster.

This vpost and bridge arrangement also maintains the surfaces 24 and IIl in"'constantcntact and, as will be noted from thelfo'regoing, yanyvertical movement of the bolster in response to service loads, willcause a friction creating brushing or sweeping action of thebols'tercarried surfaces 24v and 4I alongthe side; frame surfaces? II and I2,respectively.

It will fur-therbe noted'f'r'om the'foregon'gfa'rd `the hereinafterdescribed structureY and relationship between the various .truckcomponents that thefrictionalfo'rces aremnot` varied v'by differentloadsbeing applied to the bolster. Ay quick' wheel changeis leffectedby' raising the'beam orbridge upwardly'A toward the top Ywallof'thebol'ster until the interlockingfeature of the'r'ibs 'andp'osts Als"removed,l at 'whichtme the bridge 'may bev/'ithfd'r'aw'n' easily v`fromvthe lcollslter window 30 in 'fa direction longitudinally loifthe trucktoward `eitherend of thefside frare. vThis upward movementofthe'bridg'ewill lcause theV faces `4Ifto move" outwardly of the trckaway from theAco1- umn surfaces I2. lWhen the bridge' is thus/re- A'velffm tle'bolsterit will' be Observed that l-40 'no "bstrctimwill be present tolpreverita' rn-ovementor' the 'side frameeaway from the tolrer end.

l 'Means meteen provided in the railway truck of the present inventionto r'esili'ently urge the beam' rbridge into 'intimate'contact with theably cylindrical and convex in configuration.

Y means 52 which, being precom-pressed or under Yan initial compression,urges the lever downwardly about its cup extremity and the bridge,through the medium of the rocker, into wedging engagement with thebolster posts and side frame columns.

When the trluck structure is in an assembled relation as illustrated inFigures 1 through 3, it may be desired, as is the lcase during the lifeof a railway truck, to change the wheel and axle assemblies (not shown).As previously recited, this is effected by the removal of the bridgewhich spans the columns in overlying relation. However, the presentconstruction contemplates maintaining the lever and spring assembledwith the bolster duning the qui-ck wheel change operation and,accordingly, the top wall of the bolster is lprovided with an aperture53 through which there extends a pair of pierced lugs or eyelets 54upstanding through the plane of the top wall from the lever rocker.Normally, as shown in Figures 1 through 3, the holes 55 in the eyeletsare in the plane of the bolster top wall so that when a quick wheelchange is desired, a pinch bar or any other suitable instrument (notshown) is inserte-d into the bolster beneath the lever floor and, uponthe application of proper forces to the pinch bar, the spring 52 will befurther compressed to raise the holes, as shown most clearly in Figure4, above the bolster top wall sufficiently to permit threading a bolt 56through the holes to maintain the lever elevated away from the bridge,

From the foregoing description, considered together with theaccompanying drawings, it will be noted that various changes andalterations may be made to the illustrated and described constructionwithout departing from within the spirit of the invention and scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1` In a quick wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end positioned insalid opening, surfaces in said bolster end sloping downwardly andinwardly of said truck, removable friction means having spaced surfacescooperating with said sloping surfaces and arranged to span said columnsto be in frictional engagement therewith, pivot means within saidbolster associated with said friction means, and spring means actingbetween a top wall of said bolster and said pivot means for urging saidfriction means downwardly.

2. In a quick wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdening an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end positioned insaid opening, surfaces carried by said bolster end sloping downwardlyand inwardly of said truck, bridge means in bearing relation with saidsloping surfaces and in frictional engagement with said columns, pivotmeans extending between said bridge means and bolster, and spring meansacting between said pivot means and bolster.

3. In a quick Wheel change truck, a side frame having g-uide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end portion insaid opening and arranged to be removed horizontally therefrom, surfacescarried .by said bolster end outwardly of said side frame slopingdownwardly and inwardly of said truck, means in bearing relation withsaid sloping surfaces and columns, means pivoted to said bolster andbearing against said rst named means, and spring means acting againstsaid pivot means,

4. In a quick wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end portion insaid opening and arranged to be removed horizontally therefrom, spacedcoplanar sloping surfaces carried by said bolster outwardly of said sideframe, removable means spanning and arranged to engage said columns andin bearing relation with sali-d sloping surfaces, nemovable pivot meanscarried by said bolster and bearing upon said spanning means, and springmeans acting between said .bolster and pivot means.

5. In a quick Wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end portion insaid opening and arranged to be removed horizontally therefrom, spacedcoplanar sloping surfaces carried by said bolster outwardly of said sideiframe, removable means spanning and arranged to engage said columns andin bearing relation with said sloping surfaces, removable pivot meanscarried .by said bolster and bearing upon said spanning means, springmeans acting between said bolster and pivot means, and means on saidpivot means for limiting movement of the latter toward said spanningmeans.

6. In a quick wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end portion insaid opening and arranged to be removed horizontally therefrom, spacedcoplanar sloping surfaces on said bolster directed downwardly andinwardly of said truck, means having spaced coplanar surfaces inengagement with said bolster sloping surfaces and at least one othersurface in engagement with said columns, means 'bearing upon said rstnamed means, and spring means acting between said bolster and last namedmeans.

7. In a quick wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end portion insaid opening and arranged to be removed horizontally therefrom, spacedcoplanar sloping surfaces directed downwardly and inwardly of saidbolster, means having olppositely .facing spaced surfaces in engagementwith said bolster surfaces and |columns, pivot means bearing upon saidrst named means, and spring means acting between said bolster and lastnamed means.

8. In a quick wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end portion insaid opening and arranged to be removed horizontally therefrom, spacedcoplanar sloping surfaces carried by said bolster and directeddownwardly and inwardly of said truck, means having spaced surfaces inengagement with said spaced coplanar sloping surfaces and columns, levermeans having one extremity bearing against said bolster inwardly thereofand another extremity bearing against said rst named means, and springmeans acting between said bolster and said lever means.

9. In a quick wheel change truck, a side frame having guide columnsdefining an opening therebetween, a bolster having an end portion insaid opening and arranged to be removed horizontally therefrom, spacedcoplanar surfaces directed downwardly and inwardly of said bolster,span..

am een mingzmeans mating oppositelyztaeingspacedisurifacessinengagementmitlrsailblstensurfaeesandrcolumns,ileverzmeansrhavingzonesextremitylbear- .ing against saidibolster :inwardly :thereof fand aanother extremity ibeairingagainstisatd ispanning smeans, `:and :sprlngnreans ibetween atop wall ofsaid bolster andintemnediate the :ends ifof .ssaid kleiner iimeans.

LO. In:` a-:quick .vsrlrelr:clrangiatriml:,ansideframe having.guidezcolumnsi deinin'gtan-:opening atlreretbetween, faffbolsterilfraving .aneend-.portionziinrsa'rd iopeningaand;arranged..to.aberremouedzhorizontally therefrom, spaced1slopin'gsurfacesdineoteddown- -wardly -fandiinwardly :of fsaid'l'.bolster. *toward -esaid iside frame,ibridgeameansrextendingtthronghesaid -bolster and :having routwardly tracing .surfaces `bearingagainst :sai-d `.sloping vsurfaces' :and :in- :wardly facing :surfaces:bearingeagainst fsaidwolumns, lever means rwithin @said inolsterv-:lfiearirrg .fa-gainstz' said bridge vmeans, 'and spring) meansfor.urging-.-saidr lever meansftowardfsaid bridgemeans. e111. #Ilheimprovement s in fftruck-:bnisters tof *the @type comprising-:verticallyspacedztopz'andl bottom.swallsjoinedby:sidewvallsitox'fornrfazboxeiikesstrnc- .ture -.-arrangedto lbe rassociatediwith aan opening .in ia -side :.flralme :the'.'combination .of rigid "fpnsts :spaced l:outward-ly of said fsidemalls `toward aan end of .sa-id :bolsterfandoining.zsaidttop kand Ibot-.tonrfwalls coplanarsurfaces carried' byzsaidi posts dire cteddownwardly zand.ttacingiinwaidlyofesad .-ibolstenand knee :braces,joiningisaid postsztozone of sa-d .bolsterwval-ls.

12. The improvementzrin itnuck .bolsters-:of fat'he.typecomprisingverticallyrspaced topandxbottom .wallsijoined .by sidewallsstoiformia-fboxiikestrncture :arranged to ube :.associatedewithf anlfopening =in..-ai-side frame; the combination .fof, vtrlg-id .ipostsspaced outwardlyzof saidfside-wiailstowardzaniend roi :said bolster L.andrjoining: saidztop and'lfbottom walls, .copanar :sloping f'suriiacesccarried Llfby :said .posts 1 directed .ldownwardly` and fa'cingizinwardly .of .sa-id bolster, :spaced iwebs "intermediate fsaid asidewalls-connectingisaidftop'sand bottom walls, an'dl knee bracesfjoiningsaid .poststtofpnefcdf said bolster wal-1s.

.i1-3. The improvementrinitnuckzblsters:of .the .type comprising'vertically; spa'cedctopand bottom :walls joined by sidewallsto-iormziafrboxelikefstructurerarrangedto be associated with .fan:opening .in aside frame; -1thecombinationl:of, a'frigid'fpost spacedfrom saidssideiwallsgjoining.'saidtop@and .bottomwallsiandafsloping-surfacefcarr-iedl byfrsaid post and facingzinwardlydf=saidbolster,fsaiidesuriface abeing directed l downwardly vfandi'inwardly :efrfsai'clibo'lster 'and-a kneeibrace.j'oiningfsaidapost toone of said bolster'zwalls.

114. In a frallwayitruckldfatheftype having a sideframezmcludingvertical 'columnsfdening `an :opening `Ltherebetween :and a 'springsupported bolster .end positioned-within .fs-aid opening v`saidytruclfbeing characterized'by,'fposts` in saidbolster Inutwardly fof l'the l plane r of ffsai'dfifcolumns, sloping :surfaceston saidposts,bridgemeansfspanningfsaid columns and "being finterlocked .withsai-'d posts, sloping surfaces on said fbridge-Tmeans bearing `against4said post .sloping f'suraces, -'and spring lmeans 'for urgingsaidi'br-idge meansinto-engage- :ment fwith sai'dposts:and columns.

.15. In a railway l'truck f l'the type having a ,sidetframe includingavertiealffcolumnsl defining "an opening "therebetween .fand -a jspringsupported :bolster yendpositioned within said .-ppening, said truck:being characterizedfby; .posts *in 'saidibls'ter surfaces on :saidvposts, libri-tige means #spanning 8 said columns and `vbeinginterlocked 'with said sposta-sloping surfaces onisaid bridge meansbear- :inga'gainst said postsloping'surfaces, and springmeanszremovedinwardly of said bolster'from said i Lbridge.meansiiorurging .said bridge means into engagement iwithlsaifd posts :andcolumns.

i136. :In az'rai'lway truck of the type having-a side frame including'vertical .columns dening -anfopeningtherebetween and a spring.`supported .310 .bolster eend-positioned within said opening, saiditruekbeing characterized 'by,` posts in said bolster enutwardlyof the.plane of said'columns, sloping surfaces on said posts?, vbridge meansspanning said 4columns .and being interlocked with -said p@postsgsloping surfaces on said bridge meansbearting l*against saidposts sloping surfaces, spring meansffor urging saidbridge means intoengage- .rment 4.with said posts and columns, and means :'fnrmaintainingsaid spring means assembled with ugo saidbolsterwhile relieving saidbridgemeans of theaction'of said'spring means for facilitatingitherremoval oi saidfbridge means.

517. fIn-a'railway truck o'f the typefhaving aside iframe incluldingvertical columns defining an zopening 'therebetween and a springsupported bolster end positioned within said opening, saidtruckbeing-characterized by, a 'post extending between top andbottom'walls of said bolster and -positioned outwardly of saidsideframe, a sloping 30.;surface on said post beingfdirected downwardlyvandfinwardly of said bolster, means outwardly yolfsaidside frame havingasloping surface bearf'ingagainst said post surface,-spaced surfaces `onsaid'rstnamed means in frictional engagement :fzwith said columns, meansetxending longi- .'.tu'dinally of 'said bolster and 'bearing upon saidlfirstrnamed means, and spring means'acting be- '.tween said bolster andsaid-longitudinal extending means.

I18. 'In a railway truck of the type having a 'sideirarne includingvertical columns defining A'lan'."opening therebetween and' aspringsupported ibolster'end positioned within said opening, said truc'k-being'characterized by, a postextending :between top =an'dlbottomwalls ofsaid bolster and positioned outwardly of said side frame, a slopingsurface on said post being directed downwardly `'andinwardly of saidbolster, means outwardly ofrsaidrsideiframe having afsloping surfacebearvingagainst said post surf-ace, spaced surfaces on 'saidlrstnamed'means in frictional engagement with said columns, means extendinglongitudinally-of said bolster and'bearing upon said rst namedmeansvertically acting spring means be- 1tween saidbolster and saidllongitudinally extending'ImeanS, andmeans on isaid longitudinallyextending-means for temporarily'holding the latter f-awayfrom said rstnamed-means.

19. AIn a `railway truck of thetype 'havinga side frame includingvertical -columns dening ianopening therebetween and a spring supported'bolster end 'positionedwithin Ysaid opening, said `truck beingcharacterized by, a post extending Y. 'between top and bottom walls o'fsaid bolster and r'positioned `outwardly of said side'frame, a slopingsurface on saidpost .being directed down- -wardly and inwardly `of saidbolster, upstanding means withinsaid bolster and spaced from said.postmeans disposedoutwardly of said side frame and having inner andouter facing surfaces, said inner surfaces. frictionally engagingfsaidcolumns and'said outer surface sloping to correspond with Vand *engagesaid post surface, .means pivotally mounted Yon :,said' upstandingmeansiand resting uponsaidoutwardly disposed'means, and spring fro meansacting between said bolster and pivotally mounted means.

20. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame includingvertical columns defining an opening therebetween and a spring supportedbolster end positioned Within said opening, said truck beingcharacterized by, a post extending between top and bottom walls of saidbolster and positioned outwardly of said side frame, a sloping surfaceon said post being directed downwardly and inwardly of said bolster,upstanding means within said bolster and spaced from said post, meansdisposed outwardly of said side frame and having inner and outer facingsurfaces, said inner surfaces frictionally engaging said columns andsaid outer surface sloping to correspond with and engage said postsurface, means pivotally mounted on said upstanding means and restingupon said outwardly disposed means, vertically spaced spring seats onsaid bolster and pivotally mounted means, and a coil spring bearingagainst said spring seats.

21. In a railway truck of the type having a side rarne includingvertical columns defining an GLENN F. CO'UCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,763,221 Clasen June-10, 193()i1,985,469 Symington Dec. 25, 1934; 2,180,900 Goodwin Nov. 21, 19392,255,960 Barrows Sept. 16, 1941 2,317,352 Bachman Apr. 27, 1943

